Question

Who was the grandson of Vijayalaya?
A. Parantaka I
B. Vijayaditya
C. Vimaladitya
D. Raja Raja I

Answer 1

Hint: He was known as Maduraikonda (conqueror of Madurai from the Pandya ruler Rajasimha II), and was an ambitious leader with many territorial conquests.

Complete answer: Option A. Parantaka I-He built the foundation of the kingdom by annexing key locations like Pandya, and continued to rule his kingdom in Tamil Nadu for 48 years. He was the son of Aditya Chola. The correct answer is option A.
Option B. Vijayaditya- He was the son of Vinaditya, and had a fairly peaceful reign. His time is known for his construction of temples. This is a wrong option.
Option C. Vimaladitya- There is not much written about this ruler except for how he is referred to as M.P.C in various texts and how the marriage of his son, Rajaraja Narendra Chlukya with the daughter of Rajendra Chola I, Amangai Devi contributed to Chola-Chalukya solidarity. This option is also not the answer.
Option D. Raja Raja I- He is known for re-establishing Chola supremacy, which could be seen in the expanse of his kingdom which spread all the way till Sri Lanka. He is known as Rajaraja the great, while his real name is Arulmoli Varman. This option is incorrect.
Therefore, Option A is the right answer.

Note: The grandson of the founder of the Chola kingdom, he had seen the peak of the kingdom and had also seen it almost vanish when they lost Tondaimandalam, a region of historical significance which existed in what is present-day Southern Andhra Pradesh and Northern Tamil Nadu.